Pirate Wench Garb?

[Scarlett Rogue]

Hi again

Forgive me if I repeat questions, but I've been tooling through the threads until my eyes are crossed and while I have seen many ideas for skirts, etc. I have only found a few references to pirates and wenches. *chuckles*
I did, however, see the mention of "pirate" and "pants" in one post by Fairie Tink and would like to know a bit more on this!

I have seen women at faires with skirts and with pants Is it, then, okay to wear pants and such as a pirate wench? Weapons?

It would seem I have had Lady Luck blow my way, as an online friend has just ordered a bodice for me! *faints* which means I can send in my application to the guild much sooner than originally anticipated! *does a happy shimmy*

I have a long chemise, with long sleeves as well, but would that work? Or, if pants are acceptable, a short chemise (long or short sleeved?)

I know, soooo many questions *sheepish grin* ...but I would like to get a good outfit that doesn't look too clueless ....

What would be different in as far as outfit goes in a pirate persona?

Thanks bunches!!

[Bonnie Strangeways]

There are actually quite a few of us who shun skirts like the Plauge! You're not alone!!!

Yes, it's ok to wear trousers at faire, as long as you are not on cast (with a stricter garb requirement) or attempting to participate in a Wench Walk. (Skirt are required for this, but you can always bring them with and just throw them on for the Walk.) They can be "wrap pants" (ultra comfy!!) or a great set of bloomers.

Try to look at pictures from the times and stay as close as you can. For resources look up Grania O'Malley/ Grace O'Malley, there are some great woodcuts of her that should help you out. She's from the later Elizabethan period, so her information is pretty relevant to most of the Faire "time periods". Anne Bonney and her compatriots were later in the years, more towrds the "Golden Age of Piracy", but as more and more Festivals and Faires open up across the country, more time periods are becoming available for play.

I wear plenty of weapons; indeed, I'm a walking arsenal! I carry a rapier, a main gauche and a operational black-powder pistol. I had a leather rig custom built to carry the pistol and dagger, as I was running outta room on my belt! You *must* abide by the laws of the Faire/County/State however. A lot of Faires do not allow any weapons on site, even if they are peace-bonded. Check with Faire Management before bringing any toys.

I have many chemises, all of varying length and style. Choose what's comfortable. Keep an eye on the weather, and I can't say it often enough....SUNSCREEN!

You don't need a bodice to be a wench sweetheart, it's all in the attitude. Join when you feel you are ready, and there's no such thing as too many questions. I hope I've helped answer a few for you.

[Lady Sarah]

and there are those of us still working towards shucking the skirts... and with a pair of swim cover up pants purchased last night, I'm halfway there.

I wear a skirt, but it's not a full skirt. I basically hace a front half and a back half, and the seam is open to the waist with a pair of coordinating bloomer-ettes underneath (no way in hades I'd have my cheeks hanging out!!)

I have seen some pirate wenchlies in the more elegant and foppish Pirate Queen garb (as in hoops a la full court dress) and so much gold trim that your eyes hurt to look at them... and I have seen them in tights with a bodice and chemise.

the pretty much standard is either a pair of pants or a skirt pulled up and tucked into your belt.

As for weapons, I feel naked if I dont' have at least one weapon of sorts on me... and with the offer this past season to peace tie the girls (I'm still trying to figure out how that'd be done!) apparently I'm never without weapons. still, I carry a pair of Italian stilletos in my boots, a black powder replica pistol (non-firing of course), a mini non-firing pistol and from time to time another dagger somewhere I can find space to put it. But, Bonn is right, check with your local Faire's guidelines and weapons policy.

Most importantly, BE YOURSELF AND BE COMFORTABLE! Screw what the garb snarks sneer at you. If you like it, WEAR IT!

[KissMeKate]

Although I've been wenching for years, I have recently been shang-haied onto a pirate ship and have been working to just retool some of my garb to work as pirate gear. I wear a shirt instead of a chemise (gives a different look) with a simple leather bodice, one skirt hiked up, bloomers, and some awesome knee-high boots. I have a wonderful saber and new little non-firing pistol to wear at faires that allow such things, plus a fun little personal catapult "pistol" that will launch small things like mini-marshmellows. Then you say "Arrrg" alot.

Our pirate captain has gone all out. She has a fabulous pirate captain great coat in a light/baby blue (it weighs a ton), hat with matching feathers, plus gobs of accessories.

It can be neat to have different facets or personas at faire. You can adjust what you wear to how you're feeling that day!

[Lady Sarah]

... and new little non-firing pistol to wear at faires that allow such things, plus a fun little personal catapult "pistol" that will launch small things like mini-marshmellows.

OMG!!! I have GOT to get one!! This way I can fling M&Ms at people!!

[Keeley135]

OMG Kate's baby catapult is just TOOOOOO cute!!! Imma gettin' me one AS SOON AS I get to Bristol this year!!!

[Lady Sarah]

Bristol, eh? Hmmmm... might have to sweet talk Appie....

[Bonnie Strangeways]

... and new little non-firing pistol to wear at faires that allow such things, plus a fun little personal catapult "pistol" that will launch small things like mini-marshmellows.

OMG!!! I have GOT to get one!! This way I can fling M&Ms at people!!

I couldn't find the pistol one, but I have a mini-crossbow that does the same thing. Gotta spare if you'd like it Sarah. I'll just stick it in the box when I ship your favor and your super-sized shark if you're interested.

[Scarlett Rogue]

You don't need a bodice to be a wench sweetheart, it's all in the attitude. Join when you feel you are ready, and there's no such thing as too many questions. I hope I've helped answer a few for you.

Okay, I know I know I don't need a bodice. But I really really want one!! :p I love the skirts, I do, but I'm a walking comedy troop when I where one around faire. Tried it, really did. It had an elastic waist. Walking was easy enough, but everytime I sat down and went to get back up again, my foot would catch on the hem and I'd just about flash everyone around me as the skirt dipped waaaay to low. And the privy experience was a night terror with much thrashing and rocking and banging as I tried to get said skirt unhooked from whatever it caught on.

:D :D :D
mmm, that little crossbow sounds very cool :D, will have to keep my eye open for it.

But thanks everyone for your input!! I'm off to check on O'Malley (already a little familiar with her) and Bonnie

[Bonnie Strangeways]

Scarlett -

Here is a link to some pics take of my singing group at some of our "Pirate Performances". Indeed, in one picture, we are actually performing on the deck of a "Tall Ship" during a sunset cruise.

While not completely historically correct, these should give you a pretty good idea of what you could possibly put together.

My tricorn is nothing more than a felt hat blank that I stitched the sides up into a tricorn, and added some lace and really cool feathers.

My coat was a gift from my hubby for Mother's Day, but I can send you the link to who we got it from.

Most of everything else, excluding the leather stuff (we purchased that) was handmade by either myself or one of the other wenches you see in the pictures.

On the tune of the pistol I referenced earlier, along with our singing and comedy act, we also do black powder demonstrations as well as staged steel and hand-to-hand combat. For your persona, save pennies and go with a non-firing replica of the pistols of the time.

Here's the link, hope this helps: http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nights...lbum?.dir=ad5f